ASABA/Nigeria: A violent pre-dawn shootout between a combined security team and suspected kidnappers rocked Abraka, Delta State, in the early hours of Tuesday, June 4, 2025, leaving four suspects dead and one AK-47 rifle recovered.
According to a press statement issued by the Delta State Police Command, the breakthrough operation was the result of coordinated intelligence and swift action by a joint team comprising the Abraka Police Patrol Unit, local hunters, vigilante operatives, and members of the Anti-Cult Volunteer Corps. Acting on credible intelligence, the team moved into the Abraka railway axis around 3:00 a.m., where they encountered the heavily armed kidnappers.
During the ensuing gun duel, four of the suspects were fatally wounded and later confirmed dead, while several others managed to escape into the bush with gunshot injuries. The operation led to the recovery of one AK-47 assault rifle and thirteen rounds of live ammunition.
Preliminary investigation revealed a chilling twist when a recently rescued kidnap victim reportedly identified one of the deceased as the leader of the gang that abducted him, lending credence to the effectiveness of the operation.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, commended the bravery and synergy exhibited by the police operatives, local hunters, and vigilantes during the engagement. He described the outcome as a significant step forward in the Command’s ongoing efforts to flush out criminal elements from the state.
“This is a clear indication that our proactive, intelligence-driven strategies and community-based security collaboration are yielding results,” CP Olufemi stated, while urging the operatives to maintain the momentum.
The Commissioner also reiterated the Command’s commitment to deepening community engagement and ensuring sustained pressure on criminal networks across the state. He called on residents to continue supporting security efforts by providing credible information to law enforcement agencies.
The Police Command encouraged members of the public to make prompt reports in case of emergencies or suspicious activities via its control room hotlines
The latest success adds to growing efforts by the Delta State Police Command to secure rural and urban communities and dismantle kidnapping syndicates operating in the region.
